Although it occurred in a small state in eastern Germany, this marks a dark day for European democracy.
The Guardian reported on September 6 that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party won over 40% of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, declaring, 'The victory of the AfD in Germany is a grim day for Europe. There is little time left to stop the far-right.'
While this is just one region of former East Germany, the possibility of a far-right party gaining state power in Germany for the first time since World War II has become very real. The editorial conveys a sense of concern, worry, and even fear, warning both the current ruling powers and the increasingly rightward shift in Europe.
This fear is not confined to Europe. Issues such as polarization, youth alienation, unemployment, and hostility toward immigrants are not unique to any one country. Most nations face these challenges, and many are hiding a certain level of fear.
This fear stems from past experiences of a global surge in fascism. More than 80 years after the end of the world wars, this fear still lingers within the global community.
The 2008 German film 'The Wave' encapsulates this fear within the span of a week. The film depicts a special experiment conducted during a project class on 'dictatorship' at a German high school.
Instead of a class on 'anarchism,' teacher Rainer Wenger unexpectedly finds himself leading a class on 'dictatorship.' Observing that his students believe a dictator could never rise again in Germany, he decides to become a dictator himself to teach the class effectively.
Wenger names the class 'The Wave' and transforms the entire group into a specific organization, even standardizing their attire to white T-shirts and jeans. A student who refuses to wear a white shirt is subtly ostracized and ultimately excluded from the group.
While a few students are marginalized, the majority quickly assimilate into the 'Wave' community, with one student even beginning to idolize Wenger, who plays the role of the dictator.
What started as a playful experiment escalates into a horrific conclusion by the final class, all within just a week. Students who initially shouted, 'Damn Nazis!' find themselves performing the 'Wave salute' and addressing Wenger as 'Herr' in a show of extreme reverence just days later.
In reality, the week-long experiment depicted in the film may not seem entirely plausible. It is difficult to fully grasp how the students become so radicalized in such a short time. The tragic journey over the week is abrupt and jarring.
Particularly striking is the behavior of a student named Tim, who acts as if he has staked his entire life on the group. Tim has often felt alienated both among his peers and at home. Through his involvement in 'The Wave,' he finally establishes equal friendships and a strong sense of belonging.
'The Wave' serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the predictable phenomena that can arise from a group experiment in fascism. The rapid descent into catastrophe makes the story feel almost surreal, reinforcing its allegorical nature.
While the film remains an allegory, the real world is not so contained. Small whirlwinds of fascism are quietly brewing across Europe. What was once dismissed as fringe is becoming increasingly visible.
The small 'wave' of fascism that has been willfully ignored is now starkly evident in the results of a state council election in Germany. Those who harbored vague fears can no longer turn a blind eye to the emergence of 'dictatorship.'
Returning to The Guardian's editorial, it notes, 'Many citizens no longer feel represented by their politicians. More seriously, mainstream politicians are resorting to the logic of 'the lesser evil' to maintain their power. This is ultimately unsustainable.' This sentiment strongly resonates with the current political reality in South Korea.
On the surface, the ruling party, which claims 'politics is for the people,' appears to dominate governance with an overwhelming majority. However, the reality is precarious. The rallying cry of 'let's avoid the worst' no longer galvanizes supporters.
As values drift further away and citizens feel the pinch of practical concerns, current mainstream politicians must take action to prevent the public from being swayed by forces that offer blind allegiance through strong rhetoric. Europe, once known as the 'continent of inclusion,' is increasingly veering to the right, and the pace is quickening. Time is running out for all of us.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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